Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“What’s wrong?” Macy asked, reaching across the table to grab my hand.
“Nothing,” I exhaled through clenched teeth.
Mike came to my side as if he had been waiting for the call. I squeezed his hand for luck, feeling reassured just having him nearby. I was going to tell him how I was feeling as soon as I could find a way to do it without causing a panic, when Mike went down on one knee. I forgot all about the contractions and the weight of the baby on my lower back and gasped with delight.
As I watched, he pulled out a small box, flipping it open to display a shimmering diamond ring. I almost forgot to breathe as he straightened my ring finger and slid the diamond home. I stared at my own finger as if it were a magical creature that might startle easily. Our future life flashed before my eyes, all the children we would have together, all the birthdays and graduations we would celebrate.
My voice was barely a whisper, but I managed to say, “Yes!” I threw my arms around his neck at the same moment I felt a gush of fluid soak the bench beneath me. I pulled back in alarm, my diamond-encrusted hand racing to my belly. “I think my water just broke!”
The entire party was on their feet in an instant.
“What does ‘water broke’ mean?” Daisy cried, looking around for her mother.
“Go!” Macy shouted, “Get her in the car.”
“Do you have a hospital bag?” Lindsey asked me as Mike helped me wobble into the truck.
“Yes, it’s in the living room,” I said.
Dillon scooped up Nicky and set him atop his shoulders. “Good luck, bro,” he said to Mike.
Mike leapt into the driver’s seat and gunned the engine.
“Take it easy!” Jason cautioned us as we backed out of the driveway, “You don’t want to get into an accident on the way to the hospital.”
Lindsey came racing out of the house with the duffle bag, tossing it into the truck bed as we sped away. We barely made it to the hospital in time. They just got me onto a gurney and wheeled into the maternity ward when the baby started crowning. Before I knew what was happening, doctors and nurses were crowded around me, giving orders.
I looked for Mike and panicked for a moment when his wasn’t one of the heads I saw. “Mike?” I yelled.
“Push, Tammy!” the doctor said.
I pushed hard, feeling the newest person in the whole world inch toward freedom. Suddenly, Mike was there, wearing scrubs, holding my hand.
“I’m here,” he said, squeezing my fingers between his. “You got this.”
I screamed, fighting for the baby with everything I had. She came into the world at 8:02 p.m., wrinkled and crying. I collapsed into the bed, exhausted. Mike left my side for just a moment and returned with our perfect little girl in his arms.
“Say hello to Mommy, Elizabeth Marie,” Mike cooed.
“Hello, Elizabeth,” I whispered. They let me sit up so I could hold her, guiding her to my breast for her first suck. I stroked her tiny hand with my finger, marveling at the sight of the diamond, still as new to me as my child. “I’m always going to remember this day,” I laughed.
“We’re going to let Mom and baby rest.” The hospital staff wheeled me out of the room and into the recovery ward.
I was able to take a quick nap. My body needed it after all the stress. When I awoke, I found Mike and his parents seated around my bed. Mike’s mom was holding little Elizabeth, rocking her and singing. Mike and his dad were watching happily. Mike was leaning forward in his chair, his hand covering my own.
Mrs. Newbury looked up from the infant when she realized I was awake. “Thank you for this wonderful gift,” she said.
I smiled. “Did Mike tell you we’re naming her Elizabeth Marie?”
“He did.” She nodded.
“Elizabeth was my mother’s name,” I said. “And Marie for you.”
She looked like she was going to cry and leaned forward to transition the precious bundle to my arms. “Congratulations on the engagement. We’ve talked about it, and we’d like to help you plan and pay for the wedding.”
“No,” I said weakly.
“We insist.” Mrs. Newbury wouldn’t hear my protestations, dropping a kiss on my forehead. “We’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” She gathered up her husband’s hand and led him out of the room.
I looked at Mike, weary from the epic journey I had just completed. This was a dream come true. We were both so much in love, and we had our whole lives to explore the connection between us. I held my baby tight, feeling her life force strong within the circle of our family. Mike and I would have many more exciting memories, I was sure. We sat in silence, surrounded by the artificial comfort of the hospital room, looking deep into each other’s eyes. Who would have thought I would find all this bliss in such a small town? I reached up, sliding my fingers across my fiancé’s jaw, and pulled him in for a kiss.